An initiative by one of Egypt’s top businessmen, Mohamed Shafik Gabr, is bridging gaps between the peoples of the Arab world and the West particularly the US, by fostering cultural exchanges between young emerging leaders on both sides, in entrepreneurship, science, the arts, engineering, the media, civil society and business. Promoting greater East-West understanding, the initiative held its fifth round this year, allowing 19 young Egyptians and Americans to speak to top government officials, private sector leaders, intellectuals, politicians, economists and celebrities in both countries. This year, the Gabr fellows spent one week in Egypt followed by a further week in the US, building enduring connections through hands-on activities and rigorous discussions. “I am totally convinced that we should support young people, so they can become enlightened leaders in the future,” Gabr told the Egyptian Mail. The top-notch businessman added that young people should gain their knowledge not only from reading books or taking study courses, “they should also travel abroad and talk to people, in order to enrich their experience”. “The United States is the world’s number one superpower. It accounts for 30 per cent of the world’s economy….
‘East-West: The Art of Dialogue’ Initiative Bridges Gaps, Cultures
November 8, 2017
